Is Mayonnaise Vegan
Not VeganAlso searched as: mayo, aioli
Short answer
Traditional mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil and egg yolk, so it is not vegan. Plant-based versions built on aquafaba, soy protein, or pea protein are now stocked by every major supermarket and match the texture closely.
Why the answer varies
Mayonnaise is defined by its emulsifier, and in the classic recipe that emulsifier is egg yolk. The lecithin in the yolk holds oil and water together, which is the whole trick of the sauce. In the EU and the UK, compositional expectations for a product sold as mayonnaise assume egg.
That makes this one of the simpler answers. Egg is a declared allergen, so it is highlighted on every label that contains it.
The plant-based versions work by swapping the emulsifier. Aquafaba, the liquid from cooked chickpeas, behaves remarkably like egg white. Soy and pea protein isolates do the same job in most commercial products. Because the resulting sauce cannot legally be called mayonnaise in some markets, it often appears as vegan mayo or plant-based dressing.
What to watch for
These are the substances that decide the answer. Each one has its own entry with the full sourcing detail.
How to check a specific one
Egg is an allergen and is therefore highlighted, which makes this a one-glance check. Products labelled vegan mayo or plant-based will state their base.
What usually works
Any product labelled vegan mayonnaise or plant-based mayo. Aquafaba-based versions have the closest texture, and soy-based ones tend to be firmer.
Frequently asked questions
Is aioli vegan?
Traditional aioli is garlic emulsified into olive oil, and in its oldest form contains no egg at all. Most commercial aioli today is mayonnaise with garlic added, which does contain egg. The ingredients list separates the two.
What makes vegan mayonnaise hold together?
The same principle with a different emulsifier. Aquafaba, soy protein, and pea protein all carry molecules that sit at the boundary between oil and water and stop the two separating, which is exactly what egg lecithin does in the traditional recipe.
About this answer
- Market
- Most markets
- Last checked
- Confidence
- verified
Checked against primary sources and our own reference entries. Recipes change and vary between markets, so treat this as a starting point and verify with the brand when it matters.